Papal Visit 2015 Liturgical Booklet

p. 1 / 132

Embed or link this publication

Description

According to Papal Visit PH, this was "produced and distributed through the generosity of worldwide subscribers of Living with Christ and Prions en Elgise, Bayard Presse and the Augustinians of the Assumption through their International Solidarity Fund."

p. 3

Foreword
Pope Francis embarks on a Pastoral Visit to the Philippines with the mission of bringing the mercy and compassion of the Lord to the Filipino people especially to those who struggle to rise from the devastation brought about by calamities and upheavals. The liturgy, being the source and summit of Christian life, engenders a faith that does justice and a faith that is lived in charity. Our worship would only have meaning if we have a sustained commitment to the poor even outside the confines of communal worship. Every Eucharist empowers us to work towards healing the brokenness of society and human relationships, to grow in a spirit of self-giving for others.
LIVING WITH CHRIST
CARDINAL LUIS ANTONIO G. TAGLE, DD
Archbishop of Manila
1

p. 4

St. John Chrysostom once reminded the Christian community: “Do you wish to honor the body of Christ? Do not ignore him when he is naked. Do not pay him homage in the temple clad in silk, only then to neglect him outside where he is cold and ill-clad. He who said: ‘This is my body’ is the same who said: ‘You saw me hungry and you gave me no food,’ and ‘Whatever you did to the least of my brothers you did also to me.”’ May this guide to the liturgical celebrations during the visit of Pope Francis help us truly encounter the Lord whom we worship, and having been touched by the mercy and compassion of God which Pope Francis brings, may this visit lead us to spiritual renewal, conversion of heart, and transformation as a Nation.  
2
2 0 1 5 PA PA L V I S I T

p. 5

Message
Our Holy Father Pope Francis is with us. We celebrate the liturgy with him in thanksgiving to God for his presence among us, and for bringing to us Christ in the Eucharist. In this manner are we all gathered in communion and brought to the table of the Lord in joy and faith. This Pastoral Liturgy Guide invites us to a more meaningful encounter with Pope Francis through the liturgy at which he will preside. It will deepen our understanding of the rites; it will draw us to more active and communal participation to lift up our spirit to God with more fervor and passion. We convey a profound gratitude for our liturgists for the Papal Visit. They have labored hard and intensely to make our
LIVING WITH CHRIST
ARCHBISHOP SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS, DD
Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan President, CBCP
3

p. 6

liturgical celebrations truly channels and instruments of grace. It behooves us to respond accordingly so that we could receive in abundance the grace that they give. We would also like to thank in a special way the grace of generosity shown by the Augustinians of the Assumption and Bayard Presse, publishers of Living with Christ, whose international subscribers sponsored the printing of the liturgy books. This grace we all need in order to make real in our lives the virtues of mercy and compassion that Pope Francis and his recurrent message seek from us. May our active participation in and celebration of the liturgy move us to extend the love, mercy, compassion and kindness that Pope Francis exhorts of us. May he find in our country a blessed, kind and grateful people. When Pope Francis comes, he will show us the face of God. When the Pope sees us Filipinos, may he see the living God in us.  
4
2 0 1 5 PA PA L V I S I T

p. 7

MESSAGE ON THE 2015 PAPAL VISIT
A God of mercy and compassion
Late last year,in a speech aired live from the Vatican City, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, invited those gathered at St. Peter’s Square to pray “especially for the beloved people of the Philippines gravely affected by the recent typhoon”. Late last year , in a speech aired live from the At a time when our country found itself pressed down by Vatican City, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, invited a series of calamities, those words from the Roman Pontiff those gathered at St. Peter’s “especialhimself have given a spark ofSquare hope to to uspray Filipinos. In the ly for the beloved people of the Philippines gravely aftermath of Yolanda (internationally known as Haiyan), Pope Francis gave us a timely reminder: that we are a affected by the recent typhoon.” beloved people, a people holds found close toitself His heart. At a time when ourGod country pressed down by a series calamities, those from The November 8,of 2013 event left us withwords bitter memothe Pontiff himself have given a spark We of riesRoman of massive destruction, death and total devastation. hope us Filipinos. the aftermath of that Yolanda were to desperate. We feltIn helpless. We thought it was (internationally known as Haiyan), Pope Francis the end of everything after losing even the little that we had. gave us a timely reminder: that we are a beloved Undeniably God has a special place for all of us in His people, a people God holds close to His heart. The heart. But to be able to understand that reality in the midst of November 8, 2013 event left us with bitter memories so much disaster and suffering is not an easy undertaking. of massive destruction, andthe total devastation. In a world where most ofdeath us equate notion of “being We were desperate. We felt helpless. We thought loved” with comfort and pampering, to find oneself faced that it was the end of everything after losing even with difficulties and yet is said “to be loved”, is quite the little that we had. irreconcilable.
Message
ARCHBISHOP MOST REV. JOHN F. DU, D.D. JOHN F. DU, D.D. Archbishop of Palo
Archbishop of Palo (Leyte, Philippines) (Leyte, Philippines)
Undeniably God has a special place for all of us in His heart. But to be able to understand that reality LIVING WITH CHRIST in the midst of so much disaster and suffering is not an easy undertaking. In a world where most of us equate the notion of “being loved” with comfort
LIVING WITH CHRIST
1
5

p. 8

and pampering, to find oneself faced with difficulties and yet is said “to be loved,” is quite irreconcilable. With the visit to the Philippines of the Vicar of Christ here on earth, Pope Francis brings with him the message of God’s mercy and compassion. He brings with him the message that no matter what happens, God never abandons His people. He is always in our midst, like a father standing right behind his children especially in moments of need and desperation. Pope Francis has explicitly repeated that God’s compassion and mercy are the manifestations of His love for all. His mercy and compassion enable every individual to feel that he or she is truly loved by the Lord because they are His children. God’s mercy and compassion serve as a wake-up call that arouses the heart of man to forgive and to be at peace with his own kind and with God’s entire creation. The Holy Father comes to visit also the surviving victims of super typhoon Yolanda in the central Visayas. Barely after that catastrophe occurred last year, we remember Pope Francis challenging us not to be afraid to ask God “why?” Such a gesture is but a fruit of our confidence that our God is a God who listens and is moved by the plight of every suffering individual. We ask Him why but it is not to complain; instead we ask God why in order to understand better His Will. With these brief musings, I conclude, borrowing the words of Archbishop Soc Villegas, expressing my prayerful hopes that “when Pope Francis meets us, may he see in us a people touched by the mercy of God, living out the compassion of God, a people truly rich in mercy and compassion and grateful to those who have shown mercy to us.” (Pastoral Letter “A Nation of Mercy and Compassion”) 
6
2 0 1 5 PA PA L V I S I T

p. 9

Message
I welcome the publication of this “Pastoral Liturgy Guide for the Apostolic Visit of Pope Francis,” which is aimed at facilitating a deeper participation of the faithful in the various liturgical events during the Holy Father’s visit to the Philippines. May it contribute to a more fruitful living of these days of communion with the Vicar of Christ, and may it lead all who use it to that goal of every sacramental celebration: “a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ” (Evangelii Gaudium, 3). I thank the Augustinians of the Assumption and the men and women behind Bayard Asia, for this noteworthy initiative. In the name of His Holiness Pope Francis, I bless all those who work for this project and all those who read these lines. 
LIVING WITH CHRIST
ARCHBISHOP GIUSEPPE PINTO, DD
Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines
7

p. 10

Presentation
In the spirit of mercy and compassion, Pope Francis embarks on a Pastoral Visit to the Philippines with the mission of bringing the compassion of Christ to those who struggle to rise from the devastation brought about by natural calamities and man-made upheavals. The Pope, who comes to us as a pastor, represents Christ, the Good Shepherd, who came “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). At the very heart of the message that the Pope brings is Christ who manifests his love and affection for the Filipino people. The apostolic visit reechoes the mission of the first apostles who “strengthened the disciples and encouraged them to remain true to their faith” (Acts 14:22). The visit of the Vicar of Christ directs our attention to Christ who “desires mercy, not sacrifice” (Mt. 9:13) and one who calls not only the sinners but those who are least, last and lost in our society. As the Holy Father comes, we turn our gaze to the cross, to the Lord who is “gracious and compassionate.” We ask that the Holy Father’s visit, may bring about in us a spiritual renewal, conversion of heart, and transformation as a nation, challenging us, the Filipino people, to live a life of missionary witnessing, proclaiming to all the world God’s mercy and compassion. 
8
2 0 1 5 PA PA L V I S I T

p. 11

Some special features of the Pope’sVisit
Certainly not exhaustive, presented here are some notes regarding the different activities of the Holy Father’s Apostolic Visit to the Philippines. These are excerpts from the presentation given by the hardworking liturgists and organizers of the Apostolic Visit. May these notes not only satisfy your curiosity but also inspire you to actively participate in the special liturgies with the Holy Father.
Mass for Priests and Religious
“Mercy and Compassion,” the theme chosen by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines for the visit of the Holy Father Pope Francis, will be the leitmotif of the Mass he will celebrate with the priests and religious men and women of the Philippines. It will bring to the fore the distinctive role of priests as ministers of, and the religious as witnesses to, God’s mercy and compassion: that having experienced themselves the mercy and compassion of the loving Father, they are able to effectively fulfill their ministry and mission. An additional element in this Mass is the Confessio Peccati, which aims to illuminate the general theme of the priests and religious being
LIVING WITH CHRIST
9

p. 12

ministers of and witnesses to God’s mercy and compassion. Like Peter in the Gospel, the priests and the religious, through this rite, express sorrow for the sins they have committed against the Lord and His people and resolve to be faithful to the promises and vows they made at their ordination or profession.
Encounter with Families
The Encounter hopes to remind families that they are sent into the world in the manner of leaven so that as they live amidst the world and its affairs they may be filled with the Christian spirit as they take part in building up the Kingdom. The Gospel is the flight of the Holy Family, characterized by a threat to life, settling in a foreign land, and uncertainties, gives light to the plight of families today. This journey of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph is a source of strength and courage for the family. The testimonies that follow recount stories of families facing present-day issues, namely poverty, migration, and disability.
Mass at Tacloban, Blessing of Pope Francis Center and Visit to Palo Cathedral
The Church is truly both universal and local. These two ways of being Church are clearly seen in the use of languages at the Mass in Tacloban. For greater participation of the faithful, the Readings and the Petitions of the General Intercessions (Universal Prayer) will be proclaimed in languages more familiar to the faithful present.
10
2 0 1 5 PA PA L V I S I T

p. 13

The Pope Francis Center in Palo, Leyte is a facility for the care of the less fortunate in society, orphans, and the elderly including the sick among them. It has already been used before its blessing as an evacuation center for the victims of the most recent typhoon in December 2014. The Papal Audience at the Palo Metropolitan Cathedral consists of three parts: the liturgical reception at the door of the Cathedral; introduction of those who are present: the Clergy, Religious, and Lay Representatives of the Metropolitan Province of Palo and neighboring dioceses; and the Liturgy of the Word presided by the Holy Father.
Encounter with the Youth
This pastoral visit of His Holiness, Pope Francis, is an act of love, especially directed to the “lambs,” to our young people, the future of the Church and the world. The seeds of faith need to be sown in their young minds and hearts. Their innocence and idealism, their energy and eagerness, their honesty and hope are gifts which can only bless the Church and lead us into dreams beyond our seeing, [to] touch with flames of kindness the gloom of our darkest nights [to] keep us in beauty. In truth and virtue’s impassioned embrace; Ever your valiant legions. Imbued with unending grace.
Concluding Mass - Feast of the Santo Niño
The image of the Sto. Niño is enthroned before the Mass in celebration of the Feast of the Santo Niño, a proper feast in the Philippines. The
LIVING WITH CHRIST
11

p. 14

devotees from the Archdiocese of Cebu lead the people in accompanying the procession with the Sinulog rhythm and dance. The devotion to the Santo Niño (Holy Child) is the oldest and one of the most popular in the Philippines. When Miguel Lopez de Legazpi landed on the island of Cebu in 1565, one of his soldiers found an image of the Child Jesus. It is believed to be the same statue Magellan had given to the wife of the chieftain of the island after her baptism. The image is venerated today in the Basilica in Cebu. For Filipino Catholics the Holy Child represents a God who is accessible to all and can be approached without fear. The devotion instills the virtues of simplicity, obedience, and trust in God. At the same time it calls for mature discipleship and loving service for all. (Cf. Supplement to the Roman Sacramentary for the Dioceses in the Philippines) The readings invite us to “encounter Jesus in living out his own compassion and mercy towards our bothers and sisters in need and poverty, in suffering, loneliness, in hopelessness.” Pope Francis himself said: “To meet the living God we must tenderly kiss the wounds of Jesus in our hungry people, in the sick and in imprisoned brothers and sisters. Study, meditation, and mortification are not enough to have us encounter the living Christ. Like the apostle Thomas, our life will only be changed when we touch Christ’s wounds present in the poor, the sick, and the needy. The path to our encounter with Jesus is his wounds. There is no other.” 
12
2 0 1 5 PA PA L V I S I T

p. 15

About the Papal Visit Logo
g Please refer to the back cover page of this booklet to see the logo in full color. g The colors therefore represent the country and its people. It is in solidarity with the victims of recent calamities that the Pope is coming to the Philippines. g The innermost circle resembles a pearl, and again it symbolizes the Philippines, which is known as the pearl of the orient seas. g The white Cross symbolizes the Christian faith, and our fervent prayer that the center of our country be our Lord Jesus Christ. g The red circle symbolizes Mercy, one of the themes of the Papal visit. Red is the color of blood and recalls the sacrifice of our Lord on the cross for our salvation, a holy sacrifice that manifests and exemplifies Divine Mercy for sinful humanity. g The blue circle means Compassion, the other theme of the Papal visit. Blue is the color of divine presence – it is the color of the sky and the sea that surround our life, much like God’s presence, that is, God’s compassionate love that permeates and sustains human existence. g The red and blue circles appear like arms embracing the yellow circle. These are the merciful and compassionate arms of the Pope, the Vicar of Christ, embracing the Philippines, the pearl of the orient seas. The current Pope is well known for expressing his love and care for people by spontaneously hugging and kissing them. The red and blue circles or arms therefore symbolize the Pope’s Merciful and Compassionate Embrace, and by extension, Christ’s loving embrace. The Pope now comes to the Philippines to embrace us with his arms of love. g Finally the blue and red circles appear like ripples, or waves emanating from the inner circle, from the Cross. We pray that the Papal visit will indeed create ripples of compassion and mercy throughout the Filipino nation and beyond January 2015. 
LIVING WITH CHRIST
13